The effects of whole coffee compared with de-caffeinated coffee in a sample of hyperkinetic children

Abstract

The paper reviews the current state of the literature with regard to definitions, characteristics and treatment of children diagnosed as hyperkinetic. Though the difficulties associated with attempts at precise definition of these phenomena are discussed,the need to find therapeutic outlets for parents and teachers of hyperactive children is stressed. Studies involving the prescriptive CNS stimulants dextro-amphetamine and methylphenidate are considered along with an analysis of their undesirable side effects. Schnackenberg's (1973) study utilising caffeine in whole coffee to overcome these effects while maintaining the therapeutic advantages of methylphenidate is reviewed along with a later study which indicates less positive support for caffeine as a substitute for the prescriptive stimulant regimes. This author compared the efficacy of whole instant coffee (with caffeine) with de-caffeinated instant coffee in a sample of hyperactive children, using a double-blind crossover design. Drug response was assessed by tests of concentration, cerebral organisation and visual-motor coordination, as well as parent and. teacher rating scales. It is demonstrated that for a majority of the sample, the caffeine component in whole coffee led to significant improvement in all measures when compared to de-caiffeinated coffee. Whether caffeine needs the other constituents in whole coffee in order to be effective is not assessed but the need to interpret the two earlier caffeine studies in the light of this possibility is recommended. The effects of longterm use are not explored but it is suggested that the utilisation of whole coffee in normal diet could well be tried as a first step in programmes of medication.